Walmart hands out $50 gift cards to 25 children in Northern Michigan, allowing them to shop for their families for Christmas

December 13, 2010|By Christina Rohn News-Review Staff Writer

CHRISTINA ROHN/NEWS-REVIEW

Carina Romero and her twin sister Sabrina, both 11 from Petoskey, said they'd never felt so important shopping for Christmas.

As two of 25 children selected to participate in "Shop with a Hero" Saturday at Walmart in Petoskey, they were each given a $50 gift card, as well as their own personal "hero."

"He's kind of a like a lookout while we shop," Carina said.

Jake Guenthardt, an officer with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Police, who was helping the twins out, said he had no problem fulfilling this role.

"This is such a good way to come together with the youth of the community ... and be the bodyguard for toys," he said.

Cpt. Mark Steffel with Resort Bear Creek Fire Department, who has been participating in the "Shop with a Hero" program for more than eight years, brought his sons, 8-year-old Nicholas and 7-year-old Nate, along for the ride.

While at Walmart, Nicholas and Nate wasted no time shopping for a fellow classmate whose mother had recently passed away.

"It's things like this that touch your heart," Steffel said. "Anything we can do to help this little girl out, especially around Christmas, we'll do ... I'm actually going to dip into my own pocket."

Jillian Kenwabikise, 10, of Alanson said this wasn't the first time she'd shopped with a "hero."

She explained that her father, who has served in the Army National Guard, is her hero.

"I shop with him all the time," she said.

Kaelan Whitehead, 10, of Pellston said he was thankful for the "Shop with a Hero" program, because it allowed him to purchase Christmas presents for his family.

"I think it's really cool ... (Shop with a Hero) gives people, if they don't have enough money, to have a good Christmas," he said. "I think my family's going to be really surprised."

Amber Wilber, a secretary with the Petoskey Department of Public Safety, said the children who were chosen to participate in "Shop with a Hero" were extremely selfless.

"I don't think any of the kids picked up anything for themselves," she said. "It's the kind of families they're from -- they appreciate what they get and they don't take anything for granted."

Krystal St. John, store manager for Walmart of Petoskey, said this program is just another way for Walmart to give back.

"We're always here for our community," she said. "And those in need are a part of our community, whether they can afford to have a Christmas or not.